Name:FARREN BROS (Robert b: 1832 Cambs d:1912 and William Farren b: 1836 Cambs d: 1887)Address: 10 and 11 Rose Crescent Cambridge, 3 Cambrian Villas, Chesterton Road, Cambridge, Station Street Chatteris.Working Dates: 1865-1870Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: William Farren had been a photographer for some four years when he announced that he had entered into a partnership with his brother Robert and that they would henceforth be known as Farren Brothers (Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 18 November 1865 p1) . Announcement of the dissolving of the partnership was made in the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 20 November 1869 p1
to the effect that Robert Farren had withdrawn and William Farren continuing the business. The brothers were listed as photographers, 3 Cambrian Villas, Chesterton Road, Cambridge, 1865-6, 1867
Photographers and Artists, 10 and 11 Rose Crescent, Cambridge, 1867 (Robert was the artist)
After the partnership was dissolved Robert left to continue his work as an artist. Robert’s views of fenlands were widely published e.g. FARREN (Robert) The Fen-Lands of Cambridgeshire, Cambridge 1883. In April 1870 William advertised "A really good paying concern. W. Farren, 10 and 11, Rose Crescent Cambridge, Wishing to give the whole of his attention to the Photographic Department, is desirous of selling the print selling, frame making and artists material business, till lately carried on in conjunction with his brother. Stock and fixtures at a valuation. Seven year's Lease. (Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 23 April 1870)

The 1851 Census records that Robert and William were the sons of a local publican William Farren b: Cambs 1810.

A number of William and Robert Farren's photographs were registered for copyright purposes at Stationers' Hall during the 1860s, including some photographs of Robert's paintings. These give a flavour of some of their work. The submissions recorded in The National Archives (TNA) are as follows:

The first carte de visite below, from the Simon Shirley Collection, on square cornered white card mount, shows a wonderfully animated middle aged man in top hat holding a basket, possibly a porter of some kind. Behind him can be seen the heavy base of a head clamp. The reverse is a complex scroll design stating "Farren Bros 10 and 11 Crescent, Cambridge and High Street Chatteris copies may always be had by quoting name". The words "Farren Bros Cambridge and Chatteris" are on the face of the carte. The name "Ramsbottom" is written in manuscript on both sides of the carte. The second carte de visite below (Author's collection) is from Farren Brothers, pasted onto cream square cornered card, the front has no printing, the reverse is printed in red ink "Farren Bros 10 and 11 Crescent, Cambridge and Station Street Chatteris". The card mount is square cornered and was produced by Marion.
References: Mike Petty, The Photographers, (a handlist of local photographers), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Collection, 1992
Kelly's Directories of Cambridgeshire, 1865-6 and 1867.
Mathiesons Directory of Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket 1867
PO Directory of the Counties of Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk, Kelly and Co London Aug 1869
Mike Petty, An Eye on the Past, Cambridge Weekly News, 27.6.91.
There are 2 Farren Brothers cartes de visite in the carte de visite collection of the Cambridgeshire Collection c.65.5

Name:FARREN, Ernest William B. b: 1853 d:1903Address: 43 Hills Road Cambridge 1881, 20 Herbert Street, Chesterton Cambridge 1891Working Dates: 1871 - 1901Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Ernest WB Farren was the son of Robert Farren of Farren Brothers. In 1871 Ernest was shown as a photographer's assistant living with his mother Ann and three sisters at Brunswick House, Brunswick Walk. (Father Robert was away from home on census night). In 1881 Ernest was living with his parents and siblings at 43 Hills Road Cambridge. His occupation was shown as photographer. In 1891 Ernest had his own family and was living at 20 Herbert Street, Chesterton Cambridge. Ernest was a photographer, employed by someone else, presumably the family business, Farren Photographic Art Studio. Ernest's family comprised: wife Cecilia M Farren b 1855 Cambridge, sons Ernest AN Farren b: 1882 Cambridge and Herbert Dennis Farren b 1889 Cambridge and daughters Cecilia JF Farren b: 1887 Cambridge and Dorothy L Farren b: 1888 Cambridge. In 1901 Ernest was still employed as a photographer. He died in 1903
References: England census 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901.

Name:FARREN, Robert b: 1832 d:1912Address: Rear of Town Hall 1851, Cambridge Geological and Mineralogical Museum 1861, Working Dates: In photography in Cambridge 1865-1870Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: In the 1851 census Robert was shown as an artist, living with his parents at the back of the Town Hall, where his father was a publican. In 1861 Robert was the curator of the Cambridge Geological and Mineralogical Museum, in the Cockerell Building near the Senate House, living on the premises with his family: wife Anne Wakelyn Farren b: 1831 Cambridge and children Ernest William b: 1853 Cambridge, Kate b:1854 Cambridge, Mary Anne b: 1856 Cambridge, Anne b:1857Cambridge, Jessie b:1858 Cambridge Alice b: 1860 Cambridge and Amie b: 1861 Cambridge. Between 1865 and 1870 Robert was a partner with his brother William, trading as Farren Brothers, Cambridge and Chatteris, photographers print sellers, frame makers and artists material suppliers. In 1871 Robert was staying with his sister and her family at Great Queen Street Finsbury and his occupation was shown as an artist. In 1881 Robert was living with his family at 43 Hills Road, Cambridge, a fine arts painter. His son, Ernest William, living with his parents, was a photographer. In 1883 Robert was listed in Kelly's as an artist at 9 Peas Hill Cambridge. In 1891 Robert and his family were living at Morefield Road Scarborough. He was still an artist, and his son, Alexander Farren b: 1872 Cambridge was a student photographer. In 1901 and 1904, Robert, still an artist, was living with his family at 61 St Andrews Street Cambridge. In 1911 Robert was living at 29 Station Road Cambridge. He described himself as an oil and watercolour painter. Also shown as artists were his children Mary, Anne, Jessie and Alexander. References: England Census 1851,1861,1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911.

Name:FARREN, William b: 1836 d: 1887Address: 10 Rose Crescent Cambridge in 1863, 10 and 11 The Crescent Cambridge, and High Street Chatteris, 10 Rose Crescent (1870 to 1874), Jesus Lane (1874), 20, St. Andrews Street (1874), 13 Market Place Cambridge and 17 Market Street (1875-1882), 2 St Mary's Passage (?), Cambridge Photographic Art Gallery, 14 Kings Parade (from 1884) Working Dates: 1861 - 1882Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: William Farren's obituary appeared in The Etomologist v21 1888, page 71. From the age of 10 he was interested in moths and by the time he was 14 he had
decided to make his living as a natualist by collecting and selling insects and birds' eggs. He was only able to persuade his parents that this was something which could provide him with a living after he had successfully sold some of his specimens to Cambridge undergraduates. He travelled to different parts of England collecting specimens and his successes were noted in a number of narural history publications. He married in 1862 and at about the same time started a photographic business. His obituary concludes: "He was an acute observer, and always ready to assist those who worked with him; and his power for work may be understood when we hear of his collecting and exchanging upwards of 1700 species of Lepidoptera alone during the last
three years of his life."

In the 1861 Census William was living with his family at No 1 Rose Crescent Cambridge and his occupation was shown as a "naturalist". William Farren is first listed in local directories as a "photographer, artists colourman and frame maker" in Cambridge in 1864 and as a photographer in 1865. Then William's brother, the artist Robert Farren, joined him and the firm became Farren Brothers and was listed as such in 1869.
However, in an advertisement in 1882 William claimed to have been in business as a photographer for 21 years, so may have commenced as such as early as 1861.

After Farren Brothers split in 1869, William Farren continued in business on his own. In the
Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 23 April 1870 William advertised "
A really good paying concern. W Farren 10 and 11 Rose Crescent Cambridge wishing to give the whole of his attention to the Photographic Department, is desirous of selling the print selling, frame making and artists material business, till lately carried on in conjunction with his brother. Stock and fixtures at a valuation. Seven year's Lease." William appears to have continued operating as a photographer at 10 Rose Crescent from 1870.
In the 1871 census William and his family were living in Huntingdon Road Impington and his occupation was shown as "photographer Etc Master". Employed in his business as a photographer's assistant was his father, also William Farren, b: 1810 Cambridge, a widower who was living with William and his family.

On the evening of Bonfire Night 5 Nov 1874 there was a serious fire at William's premises at 10 Rose Crescent, destroying much of the building and contents. The fire was reported in the Cambridge Chronicle 7 Nov 1874 p8. He set up a temporary studio at Jesus Lane where he was listed as "Farren" in Kelly's 1875 Directory. In the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal on Saturday 26 December 1874
he announced "Cambridge Photographic Art Gallery, 20, St. Andrews Street. Mr. W. FARREN, thanking his many Friends and Patrons who have so cordially supported him during the past 14 years at 10 Crescent begs to inform them and the public generally that he has taken the premises at 20 St Andrews Street, lately occupied by Mr W Mayland and which after being entirely refitted he (Mr F) will shortly open of which due notice will be given and as he intends doing the operating himself hopes for a continuance of the favours so liberally bestowed upon him"
The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal on Saturday 30 January 1875 p5 gave "Notice of sale of salvage from the late fire at Rose Crescent Cambridge. Wisbey & Son have Instructions from Mr. Wm. Farren Photographer, to sell by auction at the Lion Hotel. Petty Cury. Thursday 11th February, 1875. commencing punctually Twelve o'clock at noon. A large varied assortment of Coloured and Plain Photographs, Chromos, oil paintings, some framed, picture frames etc."

In 1875 William took out a 40 year building lease from the Cambridge Corporation on a plot of land on the corner of Market Street and the Market Place, and built two shops there with a photographic studio above. (A dispute between William and his architect, Edwin Bays, about the payment of fees for this work was recorded in Cambridge Independent Press on Saturday 18 March 1876).
By July 1875 Mayland's old premises at 20 St Andrews Street were again being offered to let.
The two photographs below of Market Street taken from the Market Square show how a wider building on the corner was taken down and replaced by the narrower building which William Farren had built in its place.

Photograph of Market Street Cambridge from Market Square, by an unknown photographer taken in the 1860s/70s (definitely before 1876). Note the building on the corner to the left of Henry Eaden's premises, which restricts the width of Market Street. Reproduced with the permission of the Cambridgeshire collection, catalogue no B.Mar. J9.12992

A more recent photograph taken from a nearby spot by William Tams c.1910, shows the narrower building on the corner built by William Farren, adding considerable width to Market Street. Reproduced with the permission of the Cambridgeshire Collection, catalogue no B.Mar.K0.39118

In addition to his work as a photographer and in the art world, William was a keen plantsman and rose grower, regularly achieving successes in local horticultural shows. In the 1881 census William and his family were living in Huntingdon Road Impington and his occupation was shown as "nurseryman Master employer 1 man and 3 boys, in photo business 2 men 1 boy and 1 woman". The nursery business was known as How House Nursery Cambridge, then in Impington, somewhere near the present Howes Place, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge. The woman employed in the photographic business was William's daughter Bessie, b:1864 Cambridge. Another daughter Annie b:1862 Cambridge was an assistant in his florists shop and son Alfred William b: 1866 was an apprentice in the nursery business. William's florist shop advertised in the Cambridge Independent Press on Saturday 19 March 1881 "Id Packets. FLOWER SEEDS. Id Packets W. FARREN, SEEDSMAN AND FLORIST, MARKET STREET. CORNER OF MARKET PLACE, CAMBRIDGE will shortly have ready a List of Choice Annual, Biennial, and Perennial Flower Seeds, with cultural directions. Free for Half-penny Stamp." Not long afterwards the Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 11 February 1882 p4 reported "For Disposal. A GENUINE BUSINESS seldom met with. The HOW HOUSE NURSERY, Cambridge, About 5000 feet most useful recently-built GLASS, SIX ACRES of rich loam land, good Ten-room DWELLING HOUSE-Lease. The Stock is first-class Marketable Stuff. Very satisfactory reasons for selling.—Apply W. Farren, Rose Grower, How House. Cambridge." The Gardeners Chronicle & New Horticulturist also carried the advertisement for this sale, giving the present owner's health as the reason for sale.

In 1882 William ceased work as a photographer. The Cambridge Independent Press on Saturday 25 March 1882 p4 announced sale of: "THE CAMBRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, MARKET STREET. Photo Apparatus, Lenses, Cameras, Furniture, and whole working plant; together with the Stock-in-Trade of Artists’ Colorman and Fancy Stationer, so successfully carried for the last 21 years by Mr. W. Farren.— Apply to above for particulars.". His studio in Market Street was taken over by RH Lord.

But William did not cease business altogether. By 1884 William had another shop at 14 Kings Parade Cambridge where he traded as a print seller until he died in 1887 and his son Alfred William Farren continued the business.
The son of Robert Farren, Ernest W.B. Farren, was also a Cambridge photographer and was employed, presumably also involved in the Farren business.

The Farren brothers obviously collaborated in some ways after the partnership ended. William Farren registered the following at Stationers' Hall:

The first illustration below is a carte de visite with a cameo portrait of an unknown man (author's collection) with "W.Farren Photographer Cambridge" on the face. The design on the reverse simply states "W Farren" with the initials WF inside a crown and garter design beneath with is "Farren Photographer Rose Crescent Cambridge", the mount has square corners, c.1860s.

The next two cartes de visite (Author's collection) are of the same subject, either printed from the same negative or the first a copy of the second print. The LH carte is on Farren printed cardstock, the reverse "Photographed by Farren Photographic Art Studio 13 Market Place and 17 Market Street Cambridge Sole licensee for the new Patent Chromotype and Lambert Type Permanent Photographs. Negatives Kept copies can be obtained, this or any other portrait enlarged up to life size and painted in oil or water colours to order". This dates from some time probably after 1874 when Theodore Lambert was licensing his patented carbon printing process. This enables us to date the Farren Studio to a period after Farren Bros. became William Farren. The cards were printed by Marion, Paris. The RH carte de visite is on a card for "William Farren at 10 and 11 The Crescent and High Street Chatteris" which seems to pre-date the Farren Studio carte. Both cartes have square corners.

Next is a very unusual carte de visite studio portrait depicting a University Proctor and his man, a University Constable, known colloquially as a Bulldog. Both are wearing rather severe expressions as befitted the upholders of University discipline. The reverse of this carte is similar to the one above.

Below this is a delightful portrait of a lady with parasol, with "Farren Cambridge" on the face and similar design on the reverse to the LH carte above.

Below this is the last mount used by William Farren in 1882, designed and printed by Marion and overprinted with the name of his successor, Ralph Lord.